Buckingham Palace has confirmed that King Charles III was briefed this morning on the disappearance of US Congressman Mark Harris, who was last seen 72 hours ago in Virginia. The news comes as former President Donald Trump issued a public endorsement of the missing lawmaker, describing him as a “true patriot” and calling for his safe return.
The congressman, a Republican representative from North Carolina’s 9th district, vanished after leaving a campaign event in Richmond on Tuesday evening. His car was found abandoned near the James River, with no signs of foul play. The FBI has taken over the investigation, but no suspects have been identified.
Trump’s endorsement, posted on his social media platform Truth Social, read: “Mark Harris is a great American. He fights for our country and our values. We need him back, and we will find him. God bless him and his family.” The statement has intensified scrutiny of the case, given the former president’s history of controversial interventions in missing persons cases.
The White House has declined to comment, but a senior administration official indicated that President Biden had been informed and was “monitoring the situation closely.” Meanwhile, the British monarch’s briefing was described as a routine security update, as Harris was scheduled to lead a trade delegation to the UK next month. The palace declined to elaborate on the nature of the briefing.
Analysts note that the unusual combination of a royal briefing and a political endorsement from a former president underscores the gravity of the case. “This is not a standard disappearance,” said Dr. Eleanor Ward, a professor of political science at the London School of Economics. “The involvement of Buckingham Palace suggests that the UK government is taking potential disruptions to the bilateral relationship seriously. Trump’s endorsement, on the other hand, seems designed to rally his base around a figure who is seen as a potential ally in the ongoing ideological struggle within the Republican Party.”
Harris, 54, is a former Baptist pastor who won a contentious primary in 2018 after a previous election was overturned due to electoral fraud. He has been a vocal supporter of Trump’s “America First” policies and has faced allegations of campaign finance violations, which he denies. His disappearance has sparked a flurry of conspiracy theories online, with some alleging political motives.
Scotland Yard has offered assistance to US authorities, and the Metropolitan Police’s Counter Terrorism Command is on standby. However, no evidence has emerged to suggest a foreign link. The FBI has not ruled out any possibilities, including that Harris may have staged his own disappearance.
The missing congressman’s wife, Mary Harris, made a tearful appeal at a press conference in Raleigh: “Please, if anyone has seen my husband, come forward. We need him home.” Her plea was echoed by House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, who called for a full investigation and urged the public to avoid speculation.
As the search enters its fourth day, the intersection of a missing politician, a former president’s endorsement, and a royal briefing continues to fuel global interest. The story remains fluid, and further developments are expected within the next 24 hours.
